Flower basket



G. L. WHLSGN FLOWER BASKET Dec. 23, 1930.

Filed May 9, 1928 A lllal 1 y i;

INVENTOR GEORGE l.. WILSN BY 7% AT TCBRNEYS Patented Dec. 23, 1930 PATENT ori-ICE i GEORGE L. WILSON, OF ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA FLOWER BASKET.

Application led May 9, 1928. Serial No. 276,382.

This invention relates to iiower baskets, and has for an object the provision of a flower basket or vase of sim le and inexpensive construction, and yet o ornamental ap- .ff pearance. Thus is produced a vase which is particularly adapted foruse in fioral stores where a large number `of vases is required, with the result that an attractive vase of relatively7 small cost, has a decided sale value. Heretofore, vases of this general character have been formed by providing a receptable with a woven wicker covering. The receptacle is frequently in the form of an inverted frustum of a cone, and the wicker covering is extended and flared from the bottom of the receptacle so that the vase is supported upon a portion of the wicker-work which, itself,

is in the form of a conical frustum.` l An inherent disadvantage of this structure liesin the fact that the wicker does not impart toV the vase a sufficient degree of rigidity, so that the vase is not supported as firmly as though the base were of some rigid material securely attached to the bottom of the recep-V tacle. Accordingly, another object of my invention is the provision of an improved flower vase wherein the receptacle is supL ported upon a conical base, and wherein both the receptacle and base are formed from blanks of sheet metal cut tof .suitable shape and bent to produce therespective parts of the base, and then securely fastened together.

Another object is the provision of a vase of the general character described, upon which a suitable wicker or other covering may be disposed so that the finished vase has the same appearance as those already upon the market.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying'and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims. v

Vview being indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig.` 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view, reduced in size, of the Vblank from whichthe receptacle portion of the vaseis formed. Y j

Fig. 5 is a plan View, also of'reduced size, of the blank from which the base is formed.

In terms of broad inclusion, the flower vase of the present invention comprises a receptacle supported upona base; both the base and receptacle being formed of suitable sheet'metal cut and bent to produce the desired shape, and then rigidly secured together. The structure thus produced, is then covered by an ornamental covering such as woven'rwicker.` Y Y Specifically describing the present embodiment, the vase of the present invention coniprises a' receptacle 6 supported-upon a suitable base 7 The receptacle 6 is formed from a blank 8 of suitable sheet metal such as galvanized iron, shaped as a sector offan annulus. The'receptacle 6l is produced-by bending the blank 8 to bring its'lateral edges 9 together to permit their being joined in any suitable manner such as byfolding the two edges 9 together, and then crimping the fold'll thus produced. A disc 12 is then fastenedinthe bottom or lower endfof the receptacle 6, and fastened inany -suitable manner, preferably to provide a watertight seal. This fastening may be accomplished in any of a number of' ways, such as by soldering or welding; and preferably the same process of Afastening is applied to the fold 11 so as to insure that the joint between the lateral edges 4'9,' is thor-; oughly watertight.

The base 7 is similarly' formed from a blank 13, which is also in the Vform of a sector of an annulus.` In its preferred form however, the sector defined by the blank 13, extends throughout a greater number ofrdegrees than that formed by the bla-nk 8, so that when its lateral edges 14 are joined, the conical frustum produced is less steep than that produced by the blank 8. This, however, is optional; and depends entirely upon the form desired for the ultimate vase. It is to be understood of course, that the base 7 is formed similarly to the receptacle 6, save for the fact that it is not necessary to take especial precautions to make the joining of the lateral edges 14e watertight.

Preferably, the lower end of the receptacle 6 is of such diameter that it may be received within the aperture at the upper end of the base 7 and extend a short distance thereinto, as shown in Fig. 2. rThe base and receptacle are fastened together by welding or otherwise, in this position, with the result that the receptacle is rigidly sinaported'upon a metal base 7 to impart a maximum degree of rigidity to the finished vase. In order to add to the strength of the vase, beads 16 and 17 are formed at the top of the receptacle 6 and bottom of the base 7, respectively. These beads produce narrow, annular flanges which extend outwards from the top and bottom of the vase so that they not only materially strengthen the structure, but also serve to retain the decorative covering 18 in position.

The decorative covering 18 is preferably formed of strips 19, of Wicker, Woven upon the receptacle G and base 7 so that the vase is completely covered thereby. Thus is produced a vase which closely resembles those already in service universally in floral stores, but which is possessed of a considerably increased degree of rigidity and durability, in that the body of the structure is supported upon the metal base instead of upon the wicker-work as is the case with the conventional vase. The covering 18 may be colored or not, as the requirements of the particular case dictate.

l claim 1. A, flower vase comprising a frusto-conical sheet metal base and inverted frusto-conical sheet metal receptacle secured within the open top of said base and flaring upwards therefrom, and a woven wicker covering encasing and closely litting said base and receptacle.

2. A flower vase comprising a frusto-conical sheet metal base and inverted frusto-conical sheet metal receptacle secured within the open top of said baseand flaring upwards therefrom, reinforcing beads formed in said base and said receptacle adjacent the larger ends thereof, and a woven wicker covering encasing and closely fitting said base and receptacle.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE L. WILSON. 

